The Guardians of Health: Mission to Secure the Future
On a quiet morning in August 2020, as the world grappled with the relentless surge of a pandemic, a new force solidified its presence in Washington, DC, with a singular focus: to protect global health by anticipating the next crisis before it even begins. However, this initiative, known as BLUE KNIGHT™, was not born out of the pandemic. Its roots trace back to 2019 when Johnson & Johnson Innovation – JLABS and the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) first announced their collaboration in conjunction with the launch of the Johnson & Johnson Innovation – JLABS site opening in Washington, DC. The initiative was conceived with a forward-thinking mission, set before the world knew of the impending crisis, demonstrating a proactive commitment to global health preparedness.
Blue Knight is not your typical public-private partnership. It’s an initiative designed to do more than just respond to health emergencies. Its mission is to stay several steps ahead, identifying potential threats and nurturing innovators who can develop versatile, multi-use solutions with commercial and preparedness potential. In a world where the next health crisis could be just around the corner, Blue Knight has taken on the mantle of a modern-day guardian – one that doesn’t wear armor but wields the power of innovation.
A New Kind of Alliance
The story of Blue Knight begins with two organizations that recognize the power of collaboration. Johnson & Johnson Innovation – JLABS, known for fostering life sciences startups, and BARDA, the US government’s health security agency, joined forces believing the best way to combat emerging health threats was to combine their strengths. Together, they envisioned an initiative to anticipate future crises and activate the global innovation community to respond.
“Blue Knight catalyzes a new community of high-potential early-stage entrepreneurs who are working to improve global health security, which goes hand in hand with the JLABS mission of tackling the world’s toughest health challenges,” says Melinda Richter, Global Head of Johnson & Johnson Innovation – JLABS.
This partnership wasn’t just about pooling resources. It was about creating a platform where the best minds could come together to solve our time’s most pressing health issues. By blending the agility of the private sector with the reach of the public sector, Blue Knight became a beacon of hope for entrepreneurs aiming to make a global impact.
The Entrepreneurs Behind the Shield
At the heart of the Blue Knight mission are the innovators who dare to imagine a world where diseases are prevented before they spread, where health security is as essential as national defense. These are the entrepreneurs who come to Blue Knight with big ideas and the determination to turn them into reality.
“When it comes to addressing current and future health threats, identifying the most promising early-stage companies and giving them the support they need to realize their innovations is a top priority,” says Ashim Subedee, Director of the Catalyst Office at BARDA DRIVe.
Since its inception, Blue Knight has grown from supporting seven companies to more than 47, with more than $1 billion raised in secured and contingent funding. But perhaps more remarkable than the numbers is the diversity of the entrepreneurs – more than half of the companies are led by women and minorities. This inclusivity is not by accident; it’s a deliberate effort to bring a wide range of perspectives to the table because solving global health challenges requires every voice.
Support to Reach Inflection Points
In the world of innovation, timing is everything. For early-stage companies, reaching key milestones can mean the difference between success and failure. That’s where the Blue Knight Resident QuickFire Challenges come in. These competitions offer non-dilutive funding to help companies push past critical inflection points – whether that’s completing preclinical studies, scaling up manufacturing, or securing regulatory approval.
To date, more than $12 million of funding has been provided through these challenges. It’s money that goes directly to where it’s needed most, allowing companies to accelerate their progress and bring life-saving technologies to market faster.
Building a Global Network
While the Blue Knight hub is located within JLABS @ Washington, DC, its reach is global. Through its network of JLABS locations, Blue Knight connects entrepreneurs with experts, investors, and collaborators worldwide. The goal is simple: to build a community that can respond to health threats no matter where they arise.
Symposia and SPRINT Program
Blue Knight hosts symposia and events that bring together thought leaders and innovators to share knowledge and explore new solutions. It’s a collaborative approach that has drawn thousands of participants from across the globe, all united by a common goal – protecting the world’s health.
But the influence of Blue Knight doesn’t stop with established professionals. The initiative is also committed to inspiring the next generation of innovators. In 2023, Blue Knight partnered with BARDA to host the SPRINT Program, a STEM outreach initiative that gives high school students a firsthand look at science and public health careers. For many of these students, the experience was transformative – opening their eyes to the possibility of a future where they could be the ones developing the next breakthrough technology.
The Road Ahead
As Blue Knight continues to evolve, its mission remains as urgent as ever. The threats to global health are not going away; they’re multiplying. But with every new entrepreneur that joins Blue Knight and every breakthrough that emerges from its labs, the world becomes a little safer and a little more secure.
For those who are part of Blue Knight, the work is personal. It’s about more than just technology or funding: it’s about making a tangible difference in the world. As Rachel Rath, BARDA Alliance Director at Johnson & Johnson Innovation – JLABS, puts it: “Blue Knight is a testament to the power of collaboration in driving innovation and safeguarding public health.”
Open Applications
The Blue Knight initiative invites applications from innovative companies aiming to make a significant impact in the field of health security. Each application is evaluated by reviewers from Johnson & Johnson with input from BARDA. The process ensures we select next-generation solutions that align with both the Johnson & Johnson and BARDA missions, while also helping to advance end-to-end solutions that demonstrate the potential to address technological gaps and fulfill unmet needs.
Blue Knight seeks to support companies developing solutions across five critical pillars for preparedness: enabling technologies that support development, detecting potential threats, preventing infection and/or transmission, treating infections and disease, and facilitating equitable access to and supply of medical countermeasures.
Continuing the Legacy
And so, the story of Blue Knight continues – diligently and with unwavering resolve. Blue Knight will continue to source the best and brightest science that is strategically aligned with both Johnson & Johnson and BARDA and champion the current Blue Knight companies that are making tangible progress in advancing health security.
